When you joined The Co-op did you have good intentions to schedule time for one of the committees? Whether it's the social committee, membership committee, maintenance committee or the Board of Directors it's our responsibility to help keep the co-op RUNNING.

Here's why you should step up and PARTICIPATE!

BECAUSE YOU MADE A COMMITMENT -- You made a commitment when you signed your housing agreement to allocate the time. There is nothing more aggravating and disappointing than having a enough people who can be part of these committees, and it always winds up with the Faithful Few who do all the work. You should volunteer on committees that you have the time, energy for which in most months will be less than the 4 hour commitment you signed on your membership agreement.

BECAUSE YOU HAVE A SKILL -- Accountants become finance committee members. Marketing folks can help on the social committee.

TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW -- It gives you the opportunity to step out your comfort zone and try something new, or to hone your skills in a new field. Maybe you want to improve your skills with something you've always wanted to do like planning social gatherings or learning how to fix door jams.

TO LEARN HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVES -- How many times have you came home and just become a couch potato. Get to know your neighbors. We are interdependent and need to know how we can best function together.

BECAUSE YOU HAVE A PASSION -- Whether it is for painting, gardening, or babysitting children, socializing, fishing, or a community cooking program the co-op needs your enthusiasm.

TO DEVELOP AN INTEREST OR SHARE ONE -- Perhaps you would like to know more about a subject or you have the skills to teach something to others. If not, you have a better understanding and learned something new.

BY PARTICIPATING THE CO-OP-- It is a great way to overcome shyness, to learning to work as a team and to write, edit and distribute a monthly newletter.

AND LAST BUT ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT-- Today with government cutbacks it's a great way to show our children how to give back to our small community and in the future the rest of the world.